Method of honing grooved elements



April 14, 1953 P. H. WAYNE METHOD OF HONING GROOVED ELEMENTS 3 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Oct. 50, 1948 E HHH Ag VAEE ,qrrazwvz/s.

April 14, 1953 P. H. WAYNE METHOD OF HONING GROOVED ELEMENTS 5 Sheets-She Filed Oct. 30, 1948 IN VEN TOR.

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FTTA'ZP/VEVE April 14, 1953 P. H. WAYNE 2,634,561

METHOD OF HONING GROOVED ELEMENTS I Filed 001;. 30, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. iger Wag/11.

M w/FM Patented Apr. 14, 1953 METHOD OF HONING GROOVED ELEMENTS Peter H. Wayne, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Micromatic Hone Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application October 30, 1948, Serial No. 57,538

1 Claim. 1

This invention refers to machine tools and, in particular, relates to tools for machining outer peripheral surfaces such as the external groove on the inner race of a ball bearing.

Mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention includes a rotatable tool having peripheral mach'ning means thereon. The body to be machined, or workpiece, is mounted and rotated in a manner such that a plane through the axis of rotation of the tool passes through the peripheral surface. In order to obtain uniform wear of the machining means and to produce uniform and accurate surfaces, the tool is rotatably oscillated and either the tool or workpiece are reciprocated along the tool axis. When the machining means is of a type which Wears rapidly, such as the abrasive stones used in honing, means are preferably employed for its automatic radial expansion to compensate for wear and maintain a substantially constant pressure between the workpiece and the machining means.

Thus, it is among the objects of the invention to provide a device of the type described which is capable of producing surfaces of a desired high quality finish among successive workpieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine tool of the type indicated which may be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded. A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the described type which is capable of simultaneously machining more than one workpiece with a single tool, but which does not permit irregularities in one workpiece to adversely affect the surface of another workpiece.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will become apparent in the description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a honing machine embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts broken away of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of mechanism for actuating the tool;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 6 showing means for expanding the peripheral inserts of the tool;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 66 of Fig. 1 showing the means for holding the workpieces; and

Figs. '7 and 8 are cross sections of the tool, showing it in the extreme oscillatory positions.

Referring to the drawings and especially to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be recognized that the invention is illustrated in conjunction with a honing machine I having an elongated tool member 3 with peripheral abrasive inserts 5 (Fig. 5). The tool 3 projects from the tool housing or head 1 and is rotatably connected therein, by means to be presently mentioned, to a shaft 9 which projects from the opposite end of the housing I. A crank arm I l is secured to the shaft 9 and pivotally receives a connecting rod 13. The rod I3 is pivotally connected to an arm I5 which is secured to the driven shaft of a motor ll that may be conveniently mounted atop the tool housing 1. Thus, rotation of the arm l5 results in rotary Oscillation of the shaft 9 and the attached tool 3. It is desirable that means be provided for controlling the amplitude of this oscillat on and for this purpose the rod l3 may be pivotally attached to the block 19 which slides in a slot 2| in the arm [5 but is fixedly positioned therein by means of an adgusting screw 23 which is threaded in the arm and block. In order to eliminate vibratory stresses, the arm I5 is preferably shaped to have a counterbalancing mass 25 opposite the rod l3.

The tool housing l is afiixed by suitable means to the frame structure 21 of the machine I and contains mechanism which transmits rotation of the shaft 9 to the tool 3 and which acts upon an elongated cam rod 29 (Fig. 5) within the tool 3 to radially expand the stones 5. The device shown in plan and elevation in Figs. 1 and 2 for imparting these movements to the tool 3 is described in detail in Patent 2,350,527 to Douglas T. Peden, which is owned by the assignee of the present invention. As an alternative mechanism, the simplified structure of Fig. 4 may be used to impart the desired motion to the tool 3.

In Fig. 4, the shaft 9 is journaled in the end wall of a tool housing 7' and has an enlarged inner end 3| which is rotatively connected by means of a transverse pin 33 to a cylinder 35 which extends through a surrounding block 39 in the housing 7 and is journaled in the opposite end wall of the housing. Suitable means such as a coupling 37 rotatively connects the cylinder 35 to the outer tubular port on 39 of the tool 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the stones or abrasive inserts 5 are mounted in peripheral slots in the tube 39 and are urged radially inward in a conventional manner by the spring strips 4|. The cam rod 29 is slidably mounted in the tube 39 and has a pointed end 43 which engages the holders of the stones 5 so that axial movement of the rod 29 wedges the stones outwardly against the resistance of the spring M and that of the surface being machined. Axial movement is imparted to the rod 29 by a piston 45 which reciprocates within the rotatable cylinder 35. The piston stem All is rotatably connected to the cylinder 35 by means of a key and slot shown at 39 and is afiixed to the rod 29 by suitable means such as a threaded end engaging a threaded recess in the end of the rod 29 as shown at 5!. It will thus be recognized that rotary oscillation of the shaft 9 will be transmitted by the cylinder 35 to the tool tube 39 through the coupling 3? and to the cam rod as through the piston stem 4'! so that the component parts of the tool 3 are rotated as a unit. However, sincethepiston I and the rod 29 are slidably mounted in the cylin-' der and tube 39, they alone reciprocate.

Forces for reciprocation areprovided lay-pressure fluid which enters the cylinder 35 through spaced ports 53 and which are disposed on either side of the faces of the piston 35. The ports 53 and 55 open into annular grooves 5'? and 59 in the block 33 and these are fed by concluit passages 85 and $3 in the block 35 which are connected to the external conduits 65 and 5'5. Suitable controls are provided for reversing the pressure in the lines 55 E1? and are desirable also for adjusting and controlling the amount of pressure so as to vary the force on the piston 45' and rod 29 and thus the amount of radial expansion of the stones These controls may, for example, comprise a four-way valve $9 for selectively connecting the lines and ll to either the pressure line H or the exhaust line '23. A variable delivery pump it may furnish pressure fluid to the line H and this may have a manual adjustment Ti for regulating the output pressure of the pump, this type of unit heing a standard device procurable upon the open market. It will thus be recognized that by means of the valve 69 the direction of axial movement of the rod 29;rnay be controlled. When pressure is admitted to ports 55, the end of the rod 29 is withdrawn so that the stones 5 collapse. 'When pressure is admitted to ports the rod moves the stones 5 outwardly with a predetermined force determined by the setting of adjustment ii on the pump i5.

As indicated hereinbefore, the tool 3 is adapted to machine an outer peripheral surface A on a workpiece 13. Means are provided for rotating the workpiece B about the axis of the surface A andfor; reciprocating the workpiece along the axis of the tool 3, though, if desired, the tool 3 itself could be reciprocated by suitable means suchas disclosed in said Patent No. 2,359,527. It is also desirable to machine more than one workpiece at a time and means are provided for quicklypositioning and removing a plurality ofworkpieces, preferably two, with respect to the tool 3.

Apreferred structure for accomplishing these purposes includes a motor '59 which drives a shaft 8! through a belt and pulley connection Theshaft 8i (Fig. 6) is journaled in spaced bear ings 85 which are secured in an upstanding frame 81 that is mounted on the worktable 89. A gear 9| is keyed to the shaft 8i and fixed in axial positionby means of the collars 93 between its opposite sides and the bearings 85. A second shaft 95 is journaled in spaced bearings 9? in the frame, 8lan'd is preferably positioned so that a planethrough the axes of the shafts 8! and :35 is normal to the axis of the tool 3. A gear 99 is keyed to the; shaft 95 in driven engagement with the gear 9! and is axially positioned by the spacing collars Nil. The shafts 8| and are axially positioned with respect to the frame 81 by means of suitable lock nuts I93. These shafts extend beyond one side of the frame 81 and in the case of centrally apertured workpieces B are there provided with peripheral surfaces Hi5 which are adapted to slidably receive the workpieces B. The workpieces ase clamped against lock washers 1523 for rotation with the shafts by means of slotted washers it? which slide radially over the shafts and are pressed against the workpieces by nuts the which are threaded on the shafts but which are of lesser diameter than the apertures in the workpieces. When the washers it? are removed, this is possible when the nuts its are only slightly loosened, the work pieces, B pass freely over the nuts H39 for loading and unloading purposes.

As indicated in Fig. 6, the shafts BI and 95 are spaced so that the tool 3 just fits in the grooves A which it is desired to hone. In this particular case, since the grooves are symmetrical, the axis of the tool 3 lies in the plane of symmetry.

The stones 5 are preferably of substantially less width than the groove A or, in other words, "i less includ d angle than the grooves with respect to the axis of the tool. By regulating the amplitude of oscillation of the stones within the limits defined by the edges of the grooves A, as ShOJ-Jil in F '3 and 8, the groove is finished accura ely without rounding of the edges. Such regulation is accomplished, as hereinbefore mentioned, b of the adjusting screw 23 which connects the rod id to the arm l5.

It is desirable that the gears 9i and 99 have slightly different number of teeth so that the hafts 8i and as will rotate at slightly different 'p This tends to reduce vibrations and pieces mounted thereon so that irregularities, such as a slightly uneven surface on one Workpiece, are not transmitted on successive revolutions through the resulting increased pressure on the tool 3 to the identical circumferential position on the other workpiece.

The worirtable 3%, which carries the frame 87 and the motor i9, is slidably mounted on ways iii for reciprocation along the axis of the tool the ways i i l forming apart of the frame 21 of the machine. The worktable 3:? has a depending rigid arm lie which is afnxed to a rod ii? that extends outside of the hydraulic cylinder H9 and is attached within to the reciprocable piston 25. The conduits H3 and 25 deliver pressure fluid to opposite sides of the piston Hi and flow therethrough may be selectively controlled to determine the direction or reciprocation of the table 89 by any suitable means such as the fourway valve l'l. If automatic reciprocation is desired, the valve It? may be solenoid or pilot operated, the solenoids E23 being under the control of a pilot switch or valve iZQ. Adjustable longitudinally spaced cam fingers E3! on the table 39, or other suitable reciprocating member, trip the switch or valve :29 at each limit of travel to alternately energize the solenoids or valve 128 in the valve l2? and thus reverse the direction of movemen The rate of reciprocation may be regulated by means of a fiow control valve l 33 in the pressure line to the valve, lZ'l'. The valveitt maybe connected to the tankv through the exhaust line is?! from theyalve i2'iby. means of theinterconnecting. conduit 1 39.

In loading the machine l, the worktable 89 is so rovides a hunting effect between the two workmoved away from the head 1 or 1' so that the tool 3 is not between the shafts BI and 95, this being accomplished by suitable manipulation of the four-way valve 121 and by temporarily disconnecting the pilot switch or valve I29 from the cam fingers l3! to permit travel beyond the ordinary limits of reciprocation. The table 89 is held in this position by closin flow control valve I33. The stones 5 are also permitted to be collapsed under the influence of springs ii as by adjusting the valve 59 of Fig. 4 to allow pressure through line 6'! to force the piston 45 and attached rod 29 to withdraw as far as possible from the tool tube 39. During loading, the tool 3 may be rotatably oscillated by the shaft 9 as a result of its crank l I and rod 13 connection to the motor H, but the loading operation is facilitated if the motor 19 is de-energized to stop rotation of the shafts 8i and 95. With the washers I91 removed, the workpieces 13 are slipped on the matin shaft diameters l 05 whereupon the washers I91 are replaced and the nuts Hi9 tightened to clamp the workpieces against the lockwashers I03. The motor 19 is then started up to rotate the shafts 3i and 95 and the connected workpieces B at slightly different speeds.

The flow control Valve I33 is then opened to admit pressure to the valve 121 which should be actuated to drive the worktable toward the tool 3 until the stones 5 are inserted between the workpieces. The cam fingers l3! and switch 129 are then reconnected to control the extent of reciprocation of the workpieces B. The stones are radially expanded, as by reversing the valve 99 in Fig. 4 to admit pressure fluid to port 53 and drive the piston 53 and rod 29 into the tube 39, so that the stones reach a predetermined radius or are forced against the surfaces of grooves A with a predetermined pressure. With the stones in contact with the workpieces B, metal removal occurs and a uniform and well finished surface is obtained due to the diversified pattern of relative movement between the tool 3 and the workpieces B. This movement also results in a uniform wearing away of the surfaces of the stones 5, this wear being compensated by the continuous outward radial forces on the stones 5. After the desired surface has been obtained, the table 89 may be moved 6 to withdraw the tool 3. The motor 19 i then stopped so that the finished workpieces B may be unloaded and replaced with others.

While the invention has been embodied in a honing machine it will be apparent that the principles thereof may be incorporated into various other machines. Closely akin to the application described are those in which laps, files, diamond impregnated inserts, and the like are used to machine the outer peripheral surfaces. Operations involving more than one stage of machining are also possible by axially spacing a plurality of machining means on the tool 3 and then reciprocating the workpieces B in spaced axial paths.

What is claimed is:

The method of honing arcuate symmetrical outer peripheral grooves on a pair of cylindrical members which includes the steps of, rotatably oscillating an expansible tool between the members while rotating the members with the tool axis and the centers of the grooves coinciding, expanding the tool into engagement with the surfaces of the grooves, and relatively reciprocating the tool and members along the axis of the tool,

PETER H. WAYNE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 475,939 Haberlin May 31, 1892 1,404,691 Gail Jan. 24, 1922 1,705,893 Barnhart Mar. 19, 1929 1,836,121 Indge Dec. 15, 1931 2,041,271 Stuting May 19, 1936 2,151,483 Nichols Mar. 21, 1939 2,234,382 Neman Mar. 11, 1941 2,252,096 Pew Aug. 12, 1941 2,280,379 Cramer Apr. 21, 1942 2,335,745 Drake Nov. 30, 1943 2,398,022 Marren Apr. 9, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 1 Date 544,765 Germany Feb. 26, 1932 OTHER REFERENCES Tool Engineering, Jigs and Fixtures, by Dowd and Curtis, page 44, published 1933. 

